Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Teenage boy needs help

Hi,Im 16 and i need help. I have recently have had pain in one and both of my testicles. The pain comes and goes. I has been doing this for about a week now. The pain is mostly in behind my testicle and its almost like an ache. Also, about a few day ago my upper back around my shoulder blades started hurting. It was almost like i crack my back and it would go away if you know what i mean. And on top of that i have had a heaviness in the chest. this just started recently and i have a shortness of breath. Could all three of these be related? If so i relly need to know whats wrong.

8 Replies:

Well, of course as you do know testicles like to hang there by a thread. The testicle problem usually either could be twisted, or by the way you are sleeping on it the wrong way. If there are lumps on it or bumps I would put some cream on it and wait a week or so to see if they go away if the bumps or lumps do not then go see a doctor right away for it could be cancer in the testicles. As for the other symtoms if you play sports then that could indicate soreness all over the place. If you do not then you might be sleeping on, or pulling those muscles some how or some way. Just relax for about a week or too, if you go to school take some time out to relax. Right now you might need it !

Indeed these symptoms can be related and are suggestive of anxiety. It is not uncommon at all for boys in your age-range to experience situational anxiety that can become quite intense at times due to many factors that young people face during a very challenging period in their lives. The ache you are experiencing in the area of your testicles is most likely due to vasocongestion and is quite common among boys your age and even older men at times when sexual libido is surging. The slang term most often coined for this manifestation is known as blue-balls, due to the fact that the vasocongestion in some persons can cause the scrotum to take on a mild blue appearance. This does not happen in all cases, however, and it is entirely normal. Pain between the shoulder blades is one of the most common complaints by persons experiencing anxiety and is due to muscle tension. It is not uncommon for the affected person to feel as though if they could stretch and cause the spinal column to pop at the joints that the discomfort would go away and indeed, this oftentimes does provide relief. The heaviness in your chest is a result of a parasympathetic response by the vagus nerve due to inappropriate stimulation. Again, it's a consequence of anxiety and entirely harmless. It may interest you to know that this particular and unique type of heaviness in the chest, when accompanied by chest wall pain and certain other symptoms, is known as DaCosta's syndrome. During the civil war, a combat lieutenant noticed that a great number of his soldiers were in the infirmary complaining of heart attack symptoms, ie chest pain, extreme heaviness in the chest, palpitations, sweating, etc. He and the physician's reasoned that surely all of these young healthy soldiers could not be simlutaneously experiencing actual heart attacks. Subsequent study of the phenomenon led to the opinion that intense situational anxiety from the effects of combat was the actual underlying cause. Indeed, this turned out to be the cause and is commonly observed where intense stress or anxiety is present in some persons. The vagus nerve innervates the heart, the lungs, the GI tract and even the larnyx among other areas. Signals from this nerve can occur during stress that among other things can cause mild alteration in normal breathing and heart function, changes which are normal under certain conditions known as the fight or flight response. Most people who sense a heaviness in their chest report that they are unable to take a deep, inspirational breath that most commonly brings about a calming effect. The underlying cause for all of these events may be due to things like having difficulty in school, losing a girlfriend, getting a job and taking on a lot of responsibility, peer pressure and a host of other challenges that face young people at your age. Having said all of that, I want to share with you that the internet is an extremely poor environment to try and obtain an actual diagnosis. Although I believe your symptoms are the mere consequence of anxiety, if your symptoms persist for another couple of weeks, then you need to at least be evaluated by your family doctor. You'll be fine. Best regards, J Cottle, MD

I tell you what you might try for stress and anxiety is L Theanine , perhaps with VitaminB6 as well. L Theanine is extracted from green tea and really is very good for relieving stressand enhancing concentration. Do a google for "L Theanine studies"JP

I tell you what you might try for stress and anxiety is L Theanine , perhaps with VitaminB6 as well. L Theanine is extracted from green tea and really is very good for relieving stress and enhancing concentration. Do a google for "L Theanine studies"JP

Thanks for the help, but can i still have anxiety if I am not a nervous person? I have nothing really to stress over and I am usually calm. Also just today I have experienced a sore pain in the right side of my neck. Would this be related to any other symptoms?

Well, listen. You're a young fellow and my impression is that this is stress-related. There is nothing of your symptoms that would suggest an underlying pathology at this point, certainly not a tortioned testicle or testicular cancer as someone stated. Again, my suggestion is to simply have yourself evaluated by your family doctor because the internet is the absolute worst place to try and obtain a medical diagnosis. You'll be fine. Best regards, J Cottle, MD

Heya mate, sounds like your going threw a hypochondriac stage, I personally went threw this when I was 21.See your doctor and if he says nothing wrong get a second opinion if your still worried go for 3.This is what I did and decided to give up on trying to find whats wrong, 1 week I had testicle cancer, bowel cancer to brain tumor lol. Don't freak ya self out mate youll end up with panic attacks just like me, but I can control mine which took awhile but you dont want this anxiety 'dont panic' until you know whats wrong, then panic. Because it could turn out to be the most simple thing like smacking your nads while you sleep.My advise bro, see a doctor and get use to checking yourself for lumps etc.Heavy chest and lack of breath is anxiety all over, you may or may not accept it to be true but mate its true lawl.However see your doctor and get other opinions also, once you get your 3rd opinion then relax, because itll mean your fine. Just don't waste your next 4 years like I did panicking on every symptom that turned out be nothing but paranoia.